‘World Cup Winner’ Signs For Priorymen

Guisborough Town have pulled off a sensational transfer coup with the signing of a French World Cup winner, as well as a strong crop of other outstanding young prospects!

But before the expectations of fans of the KGV club go into overdrive, to quickly put things into perspective it was the 2006 Under-15 World Cup championships that new French signing Thibault Charmey actually took part in!

Nevertheless, as a highly-promising young Paris St Germain Academy player, Thibault made a memorable mark on the tournament by playing in the final against Sweden on his 15th birthday and he scored a goal in a 3-0 France win.

Since then 24-year-old Thibault (who is called simply ‘T’ for short) decided to concentrate on his university studies in the USA and subsequently a career as a teacher in Durham – while combining his undoubted footballing talents in non-league soccer circles both sides of the Atlantic in the USA and the UK.

Guisborough are absolutely delighted to have clinched the capture of the highly-rated young attacking French midfielder. Since moving to the North East from the USA a year ago, Thibault has played for Whitby Town, a spell cut short by an ankle injury, Darlington and Norton, where he scored a hugely impressive 21 goals in only 28 games.

Despite a whole host of Northern League clubs chasing his signature, Thibault opted to join Guisborough Town because, as he said, “they play football the way it should be played and on an excellent pitch with a superb playing surface at the KGV Stadium.”

He added: “Although I was approached by a large number of clubs to sign on for them, I had no hesitation in accepting a contract offer from Guisborough Town because I was well aware of their reputation for playing an attractive style of open, passing football on a great pitch which I experienced at first hand when I played against Guisborough at the KGV for Norton last season,” commented Thibault.

“STYLISH FOOTBALL”

He continued: “For me it was a fairly easy decision to sign for Guisborough because of their well-known brand of stylish football and that convinced me more than anything to join the Priorymen. I am looking forward very much to the new season and getting to know my Guisborough team-mates. So far everyone has made me feel very welcome indeed,” added ‘T’.

Guisborough Manager Steve Dowling is absolutely cock-a-hoop to have signed Thibault and commented: “I was well aware that quite a number of clubs were after him and after speaking with him it became clear that he was already aware of Guisborough Town and our reputation for playing a fine, passing brand of football.

“It actually didn’t take us much time to persuade Thibault to sign on for us and we’re all excited about his arrival at the KGV and we can’t wait to see him in action for us in the new season. He is a really excellent and likeable young man,” added Dowlo,

Born in the south of France but raised in Paris, Charmey, aged 24, is currently a French teacher at St Bede’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College in Lanchester, Durham.

In his late teens he went to the USA to study at the University of West Alabama and played football in the National Premier Soccer League in the USA with Chattanooga FC in 2013/14. He earned a reputation as a tough-tackling but highly skilful attacking midfielder and was named in the All-American Top 11 players for two successive seasons.

Since settling in the UK last year he resumed his football career with spells at Curzon Ashton, Whitby Town, Darlington and latterly Norton & Stockton Ancients, where he has earned a deserved reputation as a free-scoring, attacking midfielder.

Guisborough Chairman Don Cowan welcomed the signing of Thibault and commented: “We are very heartened indeed that Thibault has come to our club because of the attractive style of football that we are well known for. It’s great to see a player of his calibre wanting to come to Guisborough Town. We are an ambitious club and bringing players like Thibault and a number of other proven players to the KGV underlines our aspirations.”

Meanwhile, Guisborough boss Dowlo has been extremely busy over the past month strengthening his side and has made no fewer than six new signings in addition to Charmey to bolster his squad following the departure of several of last season’s regular players.

TALENTED ALL-ROUNDER

One player Dowlo is particularly pleased to have secured the services of is former Darlington Academy starlet Adam Cocks, another midfielder who Thibault knows well from when the pair were at Darlington together.

Another exciting new face is attack-minded midfielder/forward Chris Youldon, who like Chamery is a teacher. Chris, aged 25, has played for Tadcaster and Staveley, featuring in some excellent cup runs, and has also featured for Sunderland RCA, Newcastle Benfield and Whitley Bay.

Sunderland-born Chris (pictured above playing for Whitley Bay in blue shirt) is a very talented sporting all-rounder, as he also plays county cricket for Northumberland as a wicket-keeper/batsman.

Like Thibault, the main driver for persuading Chris to join Guisborough is the style of football played by the Priorymen. He commented: “The way Guisborough play has impressed me massively and suits me literally down to the ground because I like to get the ball down on the deck.

Youldon made his Northern League debut for Sunderland RCA at the young age of only 17 and has continued to impress ever since, averaging roughly 10 goals a season from midfield.

“I know one of Guisborough’s existing players, defender Jordan Galloway, very well so I’m looking forward to playing alongside him as well as the rest of the team,” added Chris.

OTHER EXCITING NEW SIGNINGS

Guisborough’s other exciting new signings so far also include:

Steve Roberts, a wide midfielder, and a product of the Middlesbrough FC Football Academy followed by spells with both Billingham teams – Town and Synthonia – and Stokesley.

Scott Oldfield, who became a favourite at the KGV when he played for Guisborough at left back the season before last. Scott has also had spells at West Auckland and Northallerton.

Michael Thackeray, a goalkeeper formerly with Billingham Town, Northallerton and Norton. Michael replaces last season’s No 1 Nick Liversedge, who has moved to Northern League champions Shildon. Nick leaves with the club’s blessing as he lives near Durham and works on Tyneside and travel to Guisborough had become a serious issue for him.

Matty Pennal, a forward with a lot of experience at the Sunderland FC Academy, Seaham, Darlington, Norton and Spennymoor.

Lee Farrington, a former Guisborough favourite who has re-signed from West Auckland.

Meanwhile, the new season officially starts on Tuesday, 9 August when Guisborough launch their 2016-17 Northern League with an away fixture at Whitley Bay followed by another trip to Sunderland RCA on Saturday, 13 August. The first home league fixture at the KGV Stadium is on Wednesday, 17 August against Dunston UTS (KO 7.45pm).